[thedz]

> $1 per mask to $10 per mask would still be very much affordable for everyone who really needs a mask

teachers and many essential workers who need masks the most are also most vulnerable to unexpected expenses like PPE costs. and the organizations they work for typically have strict budges and can usually only provide limited supplies.

that statement feels wildly out of touch.

[flyingfences]

Is it better for them to be able to buy masks at $10 or to not be able to buy masks at all?

[apacheCamel]

What about those where $10 a mask means not buying at all either way?

[flyingfences]

Some is still better than none.

[Vivtek]

Depends on how many teachers you still want to have a year from now.

[briffle]

You mean the teachers at my school district that regularly spend $3m/year on diesel fuel for busing students (and the drivers wages, half the drivers are 'temps') that are sitting unused?

[Loughla]

Are you saying you school isn't transporting students? Also, are you saying the teachers have anything to do with that cost?

My district had to double its busing budget this year due to restrictions on the number of students that could be on each bus. This led to even further cuts into the classroom budgets.

So, I guess your experience may be different.

[maxlybbert]

I read it that way as well. But I think the idea was that the district would normally spend $3 million on gas, and some unspecified amount on drivers. Presumably, they aren’t spending that money now, so there should be money available for masks for the teachers.

Except, they aren’t spending that much now because they aren’t bringing the kids to school. Why would the teachers need masks?

My district is bringing half the students to school each day, with a different half on different days. But they still drive the buses the same distance, and still need the same number of drivers.

[thedz]

teachers at your school are able to directly effect organizational budgeting and spending?

[missedthecue]

Remember: the alternative isn't that everyone gets $1 masks. The alternative is that almost everyone must go without one at all.

[throwaway373438]

Requiring employers to fund PPE purchases seems like a reasonable answer to this problem. $10/day/employee is a modest cost of doing business when compared with other labor expenses.

We have made other mandated changes which have been vastly more expensive.